ISLAMABAD: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi touched down in Islamabad late Friday night after a direct flight from Tehran, as the Pakistani capital once again geared up to be diplomatic nerve center for regional stability.
As soon as the Iranian Air Force plane entered Pakistani airspace, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) JF-17 Thunder jets took up escort positions, providing a visible symbol of Pakistan’s commitment to the visiting dignitary’s safety.
Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received the Iranian foreign minister on arrival.
The rare presence of Pakistan’s top military chief alongside the country’s foreign policy chief underscored the strategic importance Islamabad attaches to the visit.
Pleased to receive and welcome my brother, Foreign Minister of Iran, H. E. Abbas Araghchi @Araghchi, to Islamabad, alongside Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Look forward to our meaningful engagements aimed at promoting regional peace and… pic.twitter.com/XHrqXijgqx
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) April 24, 2026
Araghchi expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan’s peace efforts. He said the Iranian public greatly values the hard work and initiatives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
In Washington, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Special Envoy on the Middle East Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner would be leaving for Pakistan on Saturday for a second round of talks with Iran.
“I confirm special envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks — direct talks — intermediated by the Pakistanis, who have been incredible friends and mediators throughout this entire process, with representatives from the Iranian delegation,” she told Fox News.
BREAKING: Karoline Leavitt confirms Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will head back to Pakistan tomorrow for peace talks with Iran.@AmericaRpts @johnrobertsFox pic.twitter.com/npLePI513c
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 24, 2026
“The president, the vice president, the secretary of state, will be waiting here in the United States for updates, and the vice president, I understand, is on standby and will be willing to dispatch to Pakistan if we feel it’s a necessary use of his time,” she said
“Everyone will be on standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary, but first, Steve and Jared will be going over there to report back to the president, the vice president and the rest of the team,” Leavitt added.
According to the press secretary, the Iranians “reached out, as the president called on them to do, and asked for this in-person conversation.”
“The president always wants to give diplomacy a chance. It’s always his first option, and he’s willing to do that here again,” Leavitt added.
Asim Tanveer is a seasoned journalist working for TV and electronic and print media outlets. He has been working for some of the world’s leading news organizations including Associated Press (AP), Reuters, BBC, CNN, CNBC, Star TV, Voice of America and The New York Times for more than 20 years. He has won several awards for his live coverage of events that include a Reuters News Agency World Award and the Pride of Performance award in 2010.
